"Get Ready for This" is a song recorded by Belgian/Dutch music group
2 Unlimited.
It was released in 1991 as the lead single from their debut album, ''
Get Ready!'' (1992). Originally, the single was produced as an instrumental, titled the "Orchestral Mix". It became a hit and conscious of their popularity, Wilde & De Coster wanted a more accessible, formatted formula for their project to grow. Ray was then asked to write lyrics and add a rap to the track. On
Ray Slijngaard
Raymond Lothar Slijngaard (born 28 June 1971) is a Dutch rapper and musician best known as one half of the Eurodance duo 2 Unlimited.
Music career 2 Unlimited (1991–1996)
2 Unlimited is an electronic music project founded in 1991 by Belgian ...
's suggestion,
Anita Doth
Anita Doth (born 28 December 1971) is a Dutch singer and songwriter best known as the former singer of the duo 2 Unlimited, along with rapper Ray Slijngaard.
Personal life
Anita Daniëlle Dels was born in Amsterdam to a Surinamese father, Rolf ...
joined as the female vocalist.
The single was an immediate success throughout Europe with notable peaks worldwide, including Australia and the US. It is arguably the most famous of the band's singles in the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
having charted at number 14 on the US ''Billboard''
Hot Dance Club Play
Dance Club Songs is a chart published weekly by '' Billboard'' magazine in the United States. It is a national look over of club disc jockeys to determine the most popular songs being played in nightclubs across the country. It was launched as t ...
chart, number 17 on the ''Billboard''
Top 40 Mainstream
Pop Airplay (also called Mainstream Top 40, Pop Songs, and Top 40/ CHR) is a 40-song music chart published weekly by ''Billboard'' Magazine that ranks the most popular songs of pop music being played on a panel of Top 40 radio stations in the Un ...
and number 38 on the
''Billboard'' Hot 100, making it the band's only top-40 hit in the US. In the UK, the single went to number two on the UK Singles Chart.
The song is one of the most frequently played songs at sporting events around the world.
It earned one of
BMI's Pop Awards of 1996, honoring the songwriters, composers and music publishers of the song. In 2010, ''
Pitchfork
A pitchfork (also a hay fork) is an agricultural tool with a long handle and two to five tines used to lift and pitch or throw loose material, such as hay, straw, manure, or leaves.
The term is also applied colloquially, but inaccurately, to th ...
'' included it in their list of "Ten Actually Good 90s
Jock Jams
The ''Jock'' series is a superseries of sports anthem music albums started by Tommy Boy Records and ESPN in 1994.
The ''Jock'' series consists of the ''Jock Rock'', the ''Jock Jams'' and the ''Slam Jams'' series.
''Jock Rock''
The ''Jock Rock' ...
".
Background
In 1990, producers Phil Wilde and Jean-Paul de Coster had previously gained success with
AB Logic, and were looking for another vehicle for their songs. 2 Unlimited formed when Wilde and DeCoster were introduced to rapper
Ray Slijngaard
Raymond Lothar Slijngaard (born 28 June 1971) is a Dutch rapper and musician best known as one half of the Eurodance duo 2 Unlimited.
Music career 2 Unlimited (1991–1996)
2 Unlimited is an electronic music project founded in 1991 by Belgian ...
and vocalist
Anita Doth
Anita Doth (born 28 December 1971) is a Dutch singer and songwriter best known as the former singer of the duo 2 Unlimited, along with rapper Ray Slijngaard.
Personal life
Anita Daniëlle Dels was born in Amsterdam to a Surinamese father, Rolf ...
by Marvin D., who had featured both in his rap group in the past.
The rap version was released with raps by Ray Slijngaard and vocals by Anita Doth. For the UK release of the single, an edit of the original "Orchestral Mix" was used, without vocals except for the line "Y'all ready for this?" This was sampled from
The D.O.C.
Tracy Lynn Curry (born June 10, 1968), better known as The D.O.C., is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. In addition to a solo career, he was a member of the Southern hip hop group Fila Fresh Crew and later collaborated with ga ...
's hit single "
It's Funky Enough
"It's Funky Enough" is the debut single by American rapper, The D.O.C., featured as the first track on his 1989 debut album '' No One Can Do It Better''. It spent 18 weeks on the US Top Rap Songs chart, including four at #1. A video shot in bla ...
."
This edit was done by record producer
Pete Waterman
Peter Alan Waterman, (born 15 January 1947) is an English record producer, songwriter, radio and club DJ, television presenter, president of Coventry Bears rugby league club and a keen railway enthusiast. As a member of the Stock Aitken Waterm ...
, who owned the record label 2 Unlimited were licensed to for UK releases.
Critical reception
Larry Flick
Larry Flick is an American journalist, former dance music columnist, single reviewer, and Senior Talent Editor for ''Billboard'' magazine, where he worked for 14 years. Now he produces and hosts Sirius XM radio shows. Flick started in the music ...
from ''
Billboard
A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...
'' wrote, "Spirited and melodic
techno
Techno is a genre of electronic dance music (EDM) which is generally produced for use in a continuous DJ set, with tempo often varying between 120 and 150 beats per minute (bpm). The central rhythm is typically in common time (4/4) and often ch ...
/
houser reaches these shores after massive pop and club success in the U.K. Although it has yet to be confirmed, rumor has it that famed
hi-NRG
Hi-NRG (pronounced "high energy") is a genre of uptempo disco or electronic dance music (EDM) that originated in the United States during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
As a music genre, typified by fast tempo, staccato hi-hat rhythms (and the ...
producers
Mike Stock and
Pete Waterman
Peter Alan Waterman, (born 15 January 1947) is an English record producer, songwriter, radio and club DJ, television presenter, president of Coventry Bears rugby league club and a keen railway enthusiast. As a member of the Stock Aitken Waterm ...
are the creative force behind this peak-hour treat. Look for jocks to devour this one heartily." Carolyn Chard from ''
The Canberra Times
''The Canberra Times'' is a daily newspaper in Canberra, Australia, which is published by Australian Community Media. It was founded in 1926, and has changed ownership and format several times.
History
''The Canberra Times'' was launched in ...
'' described the song a "mammoth
rave
A rave (from the verb: '' to rave'') is a dance party at a warehouse, club, or other public or private venue, typically featuring performances by DJs playing electronic dance music. The style is most associated with the early 1990s dance mus ...
hit". She added further, "An instantly recognisable, hands-in-the-air track it belongs to the same Belgium-Dutch school of techno house that produced
Quadrophonia
Quadrophonia were a Dutch/Belgian Techno music collective, formed by Olivier Abbeloos (also known as part of T99) and Lucien Foort in the late 1980s, with several of their tracks performed by Marvin D (Marvin Tholen).
They had two top 40 hits ...
,
T99
T99 were a Belgium, Belgian music group best known for their song "Anasthasia", which reached number 14 in the UK Singles Chart in May 1991.
T99 was initially Patrick DeMeyer, who released three solo works under this pseudonym. However, he hea ...
and
Technotronic
Technotronic was a Belgian electronic music project formed in 1987 by Jo Bogaert, who originally gained popularity in Europe as a solo artist with various new beat projects, including Acts of Madmen and Nux Nemo. Together with rapper Manuela K ...
."
Andy Kastanas from ''
The Charlotte Observer
''The Charlotte Observer'' is an American English-language newspaper serving Charlotte, North Carolina, and its metro area. The Observer was founded in 1886. As of 2020, it has the second-largest circulation of any newspaper in the Carolinas. I ...
'' stated that "the raving keyboards and hypnotic dance beat make for a super dance record."
Chart performance
"Get Ready for This" was successful on the charts on several continents. In Europe, it peaked within the top 10 in Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain (number two) and the United Kingdom, as well as on the
Eurochart Hot 100
The European Hot 100 Singles was compiled by '' Billboard'' and ''Music & Media'' magazine from March 1984 until December 2010. The chart was based on national singles sales charts in 17 European countries: Austria, Belgium (two charts separately ...
, where it made it to number four. In the UK, the single reached also number two in its fourth week at the
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...
, on October 20, 1991.
It spent a total of two weeks at that position. Additionally, "Get Ready for This" climbed into the top 30 in Finland and the top 40 in Sweden. Outside Europe, it peaked at number two in Australia, number five in Zimbabwe, number six on the ''
RPM
Revolutions per minute (abbreviated rpm, RPM, rev/min, r/min, or with the notation min−1) is a unit of rotational speed or rotational frequency for rotating machines.
Standards
ISO 80000-3:2019 defines a unit of rotation as the dimensionl ...
'' Dance/Urban chart in Canada, number 14 on the
''Billboard'' Hot Dance Club Play chart and number 38 on the
''Billboard'' Hot 100.
Track listing
* 7", Byte Records / BYTE 7006 (Benelux)
:A: "Get Ready for This (Rap Version)" – 3:42
:B: "Get Ready for This (Instrumental)" – 3:42
* 7", PWL Continental / PWL 206 (UK)
:A: "Get Ready for This (Orchestral Edit)" – 2:53
:B: "Get Ready for This (800 Edit)" – 3:30
* 12", PWL Continental / PWLT 206 (UK)
:A: "Get Ready for This (Orchestral Edit)" – 5:31
:B: "Get Ready for This (800 Edit)" – 5:14
* 12", ZYX Records / ZYX 6599-12 (Germany)
:A: "Get Ready for This (Orchestral Mix)" – 5:26
:B: "Get Ready for This (Rap Version)" – 5:54
:BB: "Get Ready for This (Wilde Mix)" – 5:57
* 12", Hot Productions / HAL 12256 (US)
:A: "Get Ready for This (Orchestral Edit)" – 5:31
:B: "Get Ready for This (800 Edit)" – 5:14
:BB: "Pacific Walk" – 3:05
* The Remixes 12", Hot Productions / HAL 12261 (US)
:A: "Get Ready for This (Orchestral Mix)" – 5:26
:AA: "Get Ready for This (Rap Version)" – 5:54
:B: "Get Ready for This (Wilde Mix)" – 5:57
:BB: "Get Ready for This (Rio & Le Jean Mix)" – 3:08
* CD, Byte Records / BYTE 5006 (Benelux)
#"Get Ready for This" (Rap Version) – 5:53
#"Get Ready for This" (Orchestral Mix) – 5:31
#"Get Ready for This" (Wilde Mix) – 5:55
#"Get Ready for This" (Rio & Le Jean Mix) – 3:06
#"Get Ready for This" (Rapversion Edit) – 3:42
* CD, PWL Continental / PWCD 206 (UK)
#"Get Ready for This (Orchestral Mix:Edit)" – 2:53
#"Get Ready for This (Orchestral Mix)" – 5:31
#"Get Ready for This (800 Mix:Edit)" – 3:30
* CD, ZYX Records / ZYX 6599-8 (Germany)
#"Get Ready for This" (7" Rap Version) – 3:42
#"Get Ready for This" (Orchestral Mix) – 5:26
#"Get Ready for This (Rap Version)" – 5:54
#"Get Ready for This" (Wilde Mix) – 5:57
* CD, Critique / 01624 15490-2 (US)
#"Get Ready for This (Radio Mix)" – 3:42
#"Get Ready for This (No Rap Mix)" – 2:51
#"Get Ready for This (Rap Mix)" – 5:26
#"Get Ready for This (Orchestral Mix)" – 5:54
#"Get Ready for The Twilight Zone" – 3:55
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Certifications and sales
Yves Deruyter remixes
After the moderate success of the 2 Unlimited compilation album ''
Greatest Hits Remixes'' in 2001, two white labels were released with remixes of "Get Ready for This". The first 12" was released in May 2001 in
Belgium
Belgium, ; french: Belgique ; german: Belgien officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to th ...
with a remix by DJ/producer
Yves Deruyter
Yves Deruyter (born May 4, 1970) is a Belgian DJ and artist famous for his work on Bonzai Records.
Career
Yves Deruyter started his DJ career in 1985 and has played in Belgian clubs such as Globe, Barocci, Cherrymoon, Extreme, Carat, BBC, and L ...
. Although just a single sided pressing featuring the full 12" remix, the radio edit was officially released later in the 2002 release ''
Trance Remixes (Special Edition)''.
Track listing
* 12" white label
:A: "Get Ready for This" (Yves Deruyter Remix)
Robbie Rivera remixes
Following the May 2001 release of the Yves Deruyter remixes, August the same year saw the release of another "Get Ready for This" remix by
Puerto Rican DJ/producer
Robbie Rivera
Roberto "Robbie" Rivera (born 1973) is a house music producer and DJ born in Puerto Rico. He has an extensive catalog of original productions and remixes to his credit, ranging from tribal to progressive house, as well as incorporating garage ...
.
Track listing
* 12" white label
:A: "Get Ready for This" (Robbie's Bangin' Dub)
:B1: "Get Ready for This" (68 Beat Monster Mix)
:B2: "Get Ready for This" (Robbie Rivera Remix)
Steve Aoki remixes
In 2013,
American
American(s) may refer to:
* American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America"
** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America
** American ancestry, pe ...
DJ/producer
Steve Aoki
Steven Hiroyuki Aoki (, ; born November 30, 1977), best known as Steve Aoki, is an American DJ, record producer, music programmer, and record executive. released a remix of "Get Ready for This" on
Byte Records as part of a forthcoming 2 Unlimited greatest hits album.
The Rap and Orchestral mixes featured on the original "Get Ready for This" single were also included.
Track listing
* Download 1 (Steve Aoki Remixes EP)
#"Get Ready" (Steve Aoki Instrumental Extended) (5:25)
#"Get Ready" (Steve Aoki Instrumental Edit) (4:21)
#"Get Ready" (2013 Rap Version Edit) (3:42)
#"Get Ready" (2013 Orchestral Mix) (5:26)
* Download 2 (Steve Aoki Radio Mixes)
#"Get Ready" (Steve Aoki Vocal Radio Edit) (2:55)
#"Get Ready" (Steve Aoki Instrumental Radio Edit) (2:55)
Weekly charts
References
{{authority control
1991 songs
1991 debut singles
2 Unlimited songs
Orlando Magic
San Antonio Spurs
Pete Waterman Entertainment singles
Songs written by Phil Wilde
Songs written by Ray Slijngaard
Songs written by Jean-Paul De Coster
Byte Records singles
ZYX Music singles
Music videos directed by David Betteridge